Birmingham aquarium attraction marks 20th anniversary

The National Sea Life Centre Birmingham is celebrating its 20th anniversary with discounts and a #IGrewUpWithSeaLife publicity campaign.

The attraction opened on July 5, 1996, and the first 100 people who visited on July 5, 2016, received the 1996 entry price of £5.95 and a limited edition golden anniversary pop badge.

Teachers and children from Walmley Infant School joined the celebrations and recreated one of the school’s trips that happened 20 years ago.

Debbie Sunderland, a teacher from Walmley Infant School, said: “Everyone was so excited to be the first school through the doors of the National Sea Life Centre Birmingham on the day it opened 20 years ago.

“For many children, it was their first opportunity to interact with marine creatures. It was an experience that I and many of the children have never forgotten and we are glad to be here again and experience all the new attractions first-hand.”

The new #IGrewUpWithSeaLife campaign offers visitors the chance to win prizes, and allows them to share their memories of visiting the attraction over the last 20 years.

The National Sea Life Centre Birmingham has also recently launched Behind the Scenes Tours for £3.50 per person, which allow visitors to meet aquarists and discover how the attraction cares for its thousands of marine and fresh-water creatures.

Pictured celebrating the anniversary are staff at the attraction. The National Sea Life Centre Birmingham is part of Merlin Entertainments, which also includes Madame Tussauds, Legoland, The London Eye, Dungeons, Alton Towers Resort, Warwick Castle and Blackpool Tower.